I am thinking of getting an OBD (2) mainly for my car and perhaps the bikes. Has anyone gone this path and what were your experiences?
I bought one .. came with a phone app .. Torque I think it was. Read the codes ok. Cleared codes ik. Depends how involve you want to get. Read and clear codes. No issues. But if you want live data then you'll pay more money.
I've got a couple of cheap bluetooth dongles that were supposed to run at a decent speed. I've never had a bike I could connect them to. They didn't work on the BMW I had (2005 5 series) or the 2015 VW T5 van I have, I have to run specific systems for them. On everything else they worked as advertised and gave generic codes that would help you track problems down with. The only issue I had with them on a car they connected to, was with a mondeo. The engine ran like crap with it connected. I used torque (bought torque pro) and though it worked really well.
Got the full BMW kit for my car... only cost £30 and has saved my hundreds over the years, in being able to accurately diagnose problems without having to pay a dealer. Also got a cheap wifi dongle and Torque Pro on the phone... I mainly use it to monitor coolant temps as the BMW doesn't have a gauge. Did allow me to pull a code off the wifes pug and therefore fix a failed cam sensor. As @dern alludes to, the generic ones can be of limited use, as some manufacturers put so much bespoke stuff in their systems.
I have Dashcommand on my iPhone and use a cheap WiFi dongle, works pretty well. Could be wrong but I don’t think Torque Pro is available for iPhone.
thanks guys who makes torque pro? Is it an app only or doesit come with it's own dungle? Is dashcommand a diagnostic tool or just a dash display?
Dashcommand is a display and monitoring app, it also has a diagnostic section where you can read and clear codes and log data amongst other things. It may or may not be what you’re looking for, you can read about it here. https://www.palmerperformance.com/products/dashcommand/iphone/index.php It also requires a dongle.
I just get the proper software for the car, like ISTA for the BMW, OPCom for the astra, I do have a code reader, but it only reads some codes, so not that much help/ BMW tool shows the fault, and details all the way to the specific wire thats broken in a loom, if you maintain your cars yourself, you need the dealer software
thanks guys the apps are attractive because of features, cost (app + dungle) and facilities. I find it a little bit of a can of worm in terms of app/ dungle compatibility & Iphone IOS requirement plus if there is an annual subscription. I have given up on being able to connect one to my bike as they don't have a standard port nor perhaps protocol. Although new bikes may be different. I am now 50/50 between dedicated handhled (costs more, less features but no messing around with downloads, smart phone ect) and the app alternatives. PS I found a french company that does the software for windows, IOS and android sold separately or bundled together. But do not sell to the uk because of brexit
Having spent some more time on this due to the miserable wet weather outside. I found a good app+ adaptor combination for IOS which I will settle for in preference to the handheld tool. OBD fusion app $10 (+enhanced add on for my car $10) + carista or veepeak OBDcheck BLE adapter. OBDlink MX+ is compatible although costs £130!! but it has it's own app (so may not need any other one) but can run on all 3 platforms IOS, WIn & android. Carista adapter can be run with their own basic free app. Bluedriver bluetooth pro is both app & adapter but again £100! I hope the info can be of use to anyone taking the same path Motorcycles with Euro + compliance have OBD2 built in but bike specific cable adapter is needed. Before that each maker used their own system For my RR8's basic diagnostics, I have not yet found a compatible tool other than having it done by Mr honda
